Oct 20, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: John Kirby to head UChicago's Institute of Politics

Mike Allen

John Kirby briefs at the White House on Dec. 12, 2024. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP

John Kirby — a retired Navy rear admiral who became well known as a national security spokesman at the White House podium during the Biden administration — will become director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics on Nov. 15, Axios has learned.

Kirby will move to Chicago to head the nonpartisan organization, which was founded by David Axelrod in 2013 with the aim of fostering students' "passion for public service and active engagement in our democracy."

State of play: Kirby succeeds former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), who departed as IOP director last month.

Axelrod told Axios: "John's whole life has been about public service. He's a seasoned leader and mentor, whose remarkable experience is matched by his curiosity, openness and humility. All of these qualities will make him a great director of the IOP."

The backstory: "In addition to nearly three decades of military service," the IOP announcement says, "Kirby has deep experience that spanned the administrations of six presidents of both parties."

"A familiar figure in the media, he most recently served as White House National Security Communications Advisor on foreign and defense policy issues from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as chief spokesman for the Secretary of Defense and also led public affairs and communications for the U.S. State Department."

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Scoop: John Kirby to head UChicago's Institute of Politics

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